Drone from Belarus crashes in Lithuania, prompts shelter orders for top officials PHOTO

A makeshift aircraft resembling a small drone crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and crashed near the border on July 10, prompting temporary shelter orders for several high-ranking Lithuanian officials.

According to the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), the object was first spotted by officers stationed at the Kena border post in the Vilnius district. Initially mistaken for a Shahed drone, it was later identified as a homemade glider-like device constructed from plywood and foam, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The crash occurred near the now-closed Šumskas border checkpoint, approximately one kilometre from the Belarusian border. Border officials confirmed that the aircraft was not carrying any cargo and posed no threat.

In line with security protocol, the Lithuanian Air Force—responsible for overseeing national airspace—was notified of the incident.

VSAT noted that it frequently detects attempts to smuggle contraband, especially cigarettes, from Belarus into Lithuania using drones, weather balloons, and improvised aerial vehicles.

As a precaution, several top officials were briefly moved to secure shelters during the airspace violation. Speaker of Parliament Saulius Skvernelis confirmed to reporters that he had been taken to safety following instructions from security personnel.

“The Command Security Service told us to go to the shelter, so we did,” Skvernelis said. He added that he had been ordered into hiding due to “an incident involving a flying object” and declined to provide further details.

“The important thing is that nothing is flying anymore now,” he said.

Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas was also escorted to a shelter while meeting with journalists at the government building, according to a BNS reporter present at the time.

President Gitanas Nausėda was not in the country during the incident and is currently on an official visit to Ireland.

By Sabina Mammadli